Christmas Musings with a dash of Chesterton

This Christmas was good, in all senses of the word. We put up a tall tree one week before Christmas (we ran out of time and had to buy it). I got all my shopping done 4 days before Christmas. We went caroling at a nursing home, and were blessed by those dear faces. We drank eggnog and hot cocoa. We lit candles for Advent, Dad read Christmas devotions. Mom read John Piper's The Innkeeper; and it really touched me again this year (I highly recommend it to you). We watched the most classic Christmas movie of all time, and a personal favorite, It's a Wonderful Life. We were blessed to have each of us here under one roof, together. But mostly, this Christmas, like every Christmas, and every day, was good because the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and God saw that it was good.

Since creation and hearts fell in the Garden of Eden so long ago, the world has spun upside-down. When the realization of the curse hit Adam and Eve, God spoke a Promise to the serpent, and to mankind. "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel." (Genesis 3:15)

From that time forward, God's people looked for the Promise. Abraham a caught glimpse of it in the stars when God promised that through him all the nations of the earth would be blessed. He saw it again with Issac as they stared at the ram caught in the thicket - God would provide. Moses looked for the Light and caught a glimpse of it in a bush that burned but was not consumed. He took off his sandals because he stood on holy ground. The Israelites wandered, looking for a place to call Home. With hangdog hearts, mankind stood condemned, "but the tide turns now at Bethlehem."*

The earth almost went to Hell. Instead, the greatest paradox of history, Heaven went to earth, and even further below. Christ, the God-man, was born in a dugout. "That is perhaps the mightiest of the mysteries of the cave. It is already apparent that though men are said to have looked for hell under the earth, in this case it is rather heaven that is under the earth."**

The stars parted, and God placed His foot on unholy ground. Finally, a war cry went out into the silent night, and the powers of darkness trembled. It was the cry of an infant. The shepherds came to see Him, the Good Shepherd, lying in a hay manger to become food for His sheep; to be the perfect Lamb, not caught in a thicket, but willingly offered for His people. The wise men sought true Wisdom and found it in a Child. Jesus had no place to lay His head, but He became a Home for us. Jesus had no sin, but He became sin for us, so we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

And that, my friends, is why Christmas is so good. To wrap up, I give you a Christmas poem more eloquent than my ramblings:

There fared a mother driven forth
Out of an inn to roam;
In the place where she was homeless
All men are at home.
The crazy stable close at hand,
With shaking timber and shifting sand,
Grew a stronger thing to abide and stand
Than the square stones of Rome.

For men are homesick in their homes,
And strangers under the sun,
And they lay their heads in a foreign land
Whenever the day is done.

Here we have battle and blazing eyes,
And chance and honour and high surprise,
But our homes are under miraculous skies
Where the yule tale was begun.

A child in a foul stable,
Where the beasts feed and foam;
Only where He was homeless
Are you and I at home;
We have hands that fashion and heads that know,
But our hearts we lost---how long ago!
In a place no chart nor ship can show
Under the sky's dome.

This world is wild as an old wife's tale,
And strange the plain things are,
The earth is enough and the air is enough
For our wonder and our war;
But our rest is as far as the fire-drake swings
And our peace is put in impossible things
Where clashed and thundered unthinkable wings
Round an incredible star.

To an open house in the evening
Home shall all men come,
To an older place than Eden
And a taller town than Rome.
To the end of the way of the wandering star,
To the things that cannot be and that are,
To the place where God was homeless
And all men are at home.

- By G.K. Chesterton

*Lyrics from This is War by Dustin Kensrue
**From G.K. Chesterton's book, "Everlasting Man", chapter titled "God in the Cave".

Dec. 10th: Jed's 5th Birthday

I hope Jed forgives me for blogging his birthday belated. :) It is hard to believe it was 5 years ago that we brought him home from the hospital...

It was December 10th, 2004. We were just about to go on our tradition of Christmas tree hunting in the mountains. The snow thickly blanketed the ground, perfect for snowmobiling to the forest. Bundled up against the -15 degree weather, Dad would drive 80 mph through the fields. It was just like flying. Then we would hike through creek bottoms looking for a worthy pine tree. We never found it, but one part of the tradition was complaining about how "Charlie Brown" it looked. We would each take 5 whacks with the hatchet till the tree broke the silence of the winter wonderland and crashed softly to the snow.

But just before we went tree hunting that year, Mom was feeling a little...hesitant to let us go. We all stared at her. Was she or wasn't she? Suddenly, she knew. Our tree-getting was postponed for little Jedidiah Wayne King. Dad quickly drove Mom an hour and half over the Chief Joseph mountain pass, dropped Mom off in time at the hospital, and came back to get the rest of us to await the arrival of another little brother.

It was so amazing to meet the new member of the family, fresh from the hands of God. Dad held Jed, and knelt down to let 1 2/3rds year old Will meet his brother. Will promptly pinched Jed's nose in what we assume was angst. Jed hollered back, and it was the start of a beautiful relationship. (They really are best friends now.)

So for his birthday this year, here's what we did:


At the water park.

Will and Jed - can't tell they're having a blast, can you? ;)


We had a party with just the fam. A very piratey party! Arrrr!

Captain Jed, terror of the seven seas and even the bath tub too. :)

Love this little guy! My favorite blond-haired blue-eyed 5 year old.

The Amazing Pirate Cake. Hannah made most of it, I contributed a modest amount. Definitely one cool cake for one sweet little boy!

Dear Santa

I'm not sending you a wish list, don't worry. I'm just thinking...

You've been around for a while. Every year, you come back and make an appearance. There are many songs written about you. Movies about you come out each December. I have fond associations of you. But I think that something that was once good has been led astray for a while now.



Once upon a time, in the 300s A.D., you lived in what is now Turkey. You were a real person, and your name was Nicholas. Back then, you knew the meaning of Christmas. You took Jesus' words to heart, spending your whole inheritance to care for the less fortunate. You suffered persecution and imprisonment by the Roman Emperor Diocletian for believing in a Babe lying in a manger. On Dec. 6th, 343, you died.



I'm sure that you wouldn't approve of your metamorphosis into Santa Clause since then. They really have ripped you out your context. Round and jolly, you help sell Coca-cola bottles this time of year. They say you make a list and check it twice to find out who's been naughty or nice. But...you're not omniscient or omnipresent. You're not even around anymore.


But, God is. And He has a naughty and nice list too. But on His list, everyone is naughty with a capital N. Nobody is good, no not one. No one, except One, that is. And thankfully, God gave His best Gift to naughty children like me. And children need to believe that much more than they need to believe you can fly around the world with reindeer, distributing gifts in a single night. Not to mention the absurd physics that would be involved. They need to know Who really knows when they are sleeping, and knows when they're awake.

Now don't get me wrong, I think giving gifts is definitely a good thing. It is legitimate to give and receive during Christmas for the simple reason that the Gift we received 2000 years ago was not just wrapping paper and a meaningless box. There was Something inside that Gift, and it gives meaning to all the ribbons, cookies, lights, stockings, eggnog, and traditions...even you, St. Nick, if you don't try to replace it. The birth of our Lord has made all the difference in the world. And that is worth celebrating!

"You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."
- Matthew 1:20-21

Merry Christmas!

The Aroma of Gratitude

Ah, Thanksgiving Day. One day of celebrating and giving thanks is 364 days too short. We're WAY too blessed not to do as Paul exhorts us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18:

"in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Today we remember the first Thanksgiving Day, and the providence of the Lord working through the faithful pilgrims. They risked their lives for freedom to worship God in spirit and truth over 350 years ago. We remember the blessings we are still experiencing thanks to them.




Today, we feasted. Two tables end to end, tablecloths of golden wheat, floating candles, the aroma of a cornucopia of hearty food, all melding together to create an ambiance of warmth. Green beans/bacon, cranberry salad, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, corn, sweet-potato-marshmallow casserole, homemade rolls, and of course, turkey, all laid out buffet-style.





I'm so thankful for my friends and family seated around the table. Conversations and fellowship were lively and words of wisdom spoken. Once bellies bulged to capacity, the "under 40 crowd" sunk to the cool of the basement and played a pretty intense game of Dutch-Blitz; fast paced for everyone being so engorged. Of course, I finished the game with -65. ;) We resurfaced for 3 kinds of pie and sparkling cider. T'was good indeed.

During dinner, we read snippets of wisdom on the spirit of thanksgiving, and warnings on ingratitude. I'm not sure of the sources of some of these, but I'll share some with you. I hope they encourage your heart like they did mine...

"Ingratitude is the mark of rank worldliness. It is the mark of an unbeliever. It is the character of an infidel to be ungrateful. Paul, in describing a lost world, said in Romans 1:21, 'Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful.' You are never more like a lost man, an unbeliever, than when you are ungrateful." -unknown

"Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving." - Colossians 4:2

Shakespeare described ingratitude as a "Marble-Hearted Fiend." That is, he said that an ingrate had the heart of solid marble. Shakespeare went on to say, "I hate ingratitude more in man than lying, vainness, babbling, drunkenness, or any taint of vice, whose strong corruption inhabits our frail blood."

"The key to unlocking a heart of gratitude and overcoming bitterness, ugliness, disrespect, and violence is a strong sense of dependence on God the Creator, Sustainer, Provider, and Hope-Giver. ...Remembering our dependence on past mercies kindles gratitude. Pondering the promises of tomorrow's mercies kindles faith. Gratitude is past-oriented dependence; faith is future-oriented dependence. Both forms of dependence are humble, self-forgetting, and God exalting... O that we might guard our hearts from the arrogance that unleashes a thousand evils in the world! Humble gratitude for all God has done for us in the past and humble trust in all He promises to do for us in the future --- this is the key." - (John Piper, A Godward Life, 46)

Matthew Henry, the famous Bible teacher, was once accosted by theives and robbed of all his money. He wrote these words in his diary: "I am so very thankful. First, because I was never robbed before. Second, because although they took my purse they did not take my life. Third, because although they took everything I had, it wasn't very much. Fourth, it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed."

Someone else has written these words: "The thief may have some streaks of honesty in him, the deadbeat spots of honor, the liar hours when he loves the truth, the libertine occasions when he has impulses to be pure; but there is nothing redemptive in the ingrate."

"Thus out of small beginnings greater things have grown by His hand Who made all things out of nothing, and gives being to all things that are; and as one small candle may light a thousand, so the light enkindled here has shone to many, yea, in a sense, to our whole nation; let the glorious name of Jehovah have all the praise." - William Bradford, circa 1630

The sun is down now, and the last streaks of purple have faded from the rafters of the sky, and all is mellow inside. I see His rich grace as I look around the room at all I have that I don't deserve, and I see His kind mercy as I don't see what I do deserve. Past and present and future, the faithfulness of our Lord is astounding...and I know I don't even know the half of it. I'm so thankful for His grace to give thanks in everything, His mercy when I fail, and His ability to keep me from falling into ingratitude. May His mercy and grace continue to turn us into a grateful people!

"When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land which He has given you." - Deut. 8:10

A Happy Thanksgiving to you, today and everyday!

~A

Serving Size: One

I was thinking the other day about food. Well, so what's new, right? :) I was pondering serving sizes, actually. Most packaged foods tell you how many serving sizes are in the box, or can, or whatever. We usually eat the more than the suggested serving size on most foods. Fast food joints feed you a meal that is easily more than one serving size, not to mention a pet peeve of mine: the "straws" they give you to slurp your super-sized soda seem more closely related to a garden hose than a straw. But I digress...

When my siblings and I make cookies, we typically double or triple the batch 'cause in larger families like ours, there just isn't enough cookie to go around otherwise. Plus, factor in a few big boys (and little ones for that matter) who think the serving size of a cookie is 5 per person and suddenly 24 cookies don't seem like that many. ;) And occasionally the overdose of cookies leads to heartburn.

But there is another way of getting heartburn. The serving size of a human heart, contrary to what popular culture says, is only one. Like Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." - Matthew 6:24. You can't serve God and sin, God and personal peace and affluence, God and selfish ambition, God and anything else. That doesn't mean go join the local monastery or nun cloister. We serve God by loving one another, dying to self, doing our best in business, etc, and by enjoying Him forever! The human heart was made to serve one - The One. Anything else causes heartburn. Thankfully, He helps us keep our hands out of the proverbial cookie jar, and in His service!

Peace,

Audrey

Jeff's 19th Birthday

November 3rd, 1990, I ceased to be an only child, because on that day, my Mom gave birth to a big ol' boy: Jeffrey David King. He was a fat and happy baby, and in the following years in diapers, very compliant with whatever plans my toddler mind schemed up. I taught him everything he knew, from climbing stairs to escaping down the street in our Pampers while Daddy napped (I was naughty, I know). 19 years into this sibling relationship, and he is no longer a jolly child with ringlets of white curls and fat rolls. He's a 6' tall 175 lb really cool guy.

Jeff, or J.D. as he is known to his friends, is 19 years old today, and sadly, isn't home to celebrate. He is working on a film adventure in south-west Montana. Since he's not here, I'll brag about him a little bit. :)

He is athletic, handsome, and smart, but better yet, he's pretty wise too. He has a vision to use filmmaking, and anything he does, to the glory of God, and I think that is awesome. At 19, Jeff is more mature than most 20-somethings I know. He is a senior in college without setting foot in a college classroom. He has used CollegePlus online, and completely taught himself. I don't think a degree is something special, but I think his self-discipline and initiative is. And that will carry him to success, not a piece of state-certified paper. He has a humble spirit, but he's bold in truth. His heroes are men who have been courageous enough to stand for God's truth in the face of darkness, and so change history. I think he will be one of them.

So here's to my big-little brother, Jeff. I am thankful to be so blessed with such a godly brother and friend, and look forward to many more adventures together, though hopefully not in Pampers diapers. Happy Birthday Jeff!

Simplicity in the Complexity

Author's note: I wrote this about 7 months ago or so:

Here I sit, coughing, nose stuffy, listening to one of Selah’s African hymns come from the guestroom where Jed and Will are playing it for the thousandth time this week. From the family room I can hear a news network chatting about the economy and the stimulus bill, for the thousandth time this week. I can’t comprehend the magnitude of what’s going on, nor can I foresee the future. But I have a small inkling that this is going to change things for the worse. At least, that’s what some are saying…

…The little boys are re-playing the Selah song. Now Dad is talking to Mom on the phone about the big boy’s basketball tourney in Helena. I wonder in a few months from now where we will be. Things are always changing, but with what is happening nationally, the change is bound to be more ramifying. But in the midst of all this, somehow, I am not afraid. Maybe I don’t know enough to be afraid. I’ve heard of rumors of decadence like this nation has never known before. And I know things are much more complicated than that…

…Now Jed is crying, because he got in trouble for making Will cry. He wrecked one of Will’s creations. Now Will has stopped crying and moved on. I think these times bring us to the point of release. We must let go. Of course I want God’s blessing on our nation, but sometimes nations get stiff-necked and won’t acknowledge God. And that is one of the worst things they can do. Sometimes God gives people over to their selfish desires. That’s scary. But as God’s children and products of His grace, He is looking out for us even now. And sometimes He requires that we let go of what we never owned so He can give us the only thing we really desire…Himself. Seek Him and He promises we will find Him. Ask for wisdom and He promises to give it. Obey Him and He promises to bless. Disobey, and He promises to curse. Maybe it’s not that complicated after all…

…Now I hear Little House on the Prairie playing in the next room. Some things never change. And in times like these, where the economy is warping, money is vaporizing, and the high places are thoroughly corrupt, the Rock is firmer than ever. He never changes. He helps us stand firm and let go of things He is shaking, the idols of this age (personal peace and affluence), to show us what He is giving us that is unshakable: His kingdom come. I pray He will give us wisdom to act out of courage not fear, to plan strategically for future generations, and that through us He would glorify His name, revive our lands, and let peace and righteousness kiss. He has the whole world in His hands, even this house on the prairie. And now I think I’ll go cuddle up on the couch with my sibs, have some hot tea, and watch Little House, the sum of which never cease to be a great comfort to a stuffy nose and ticklish throat.

"I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live." -Deut. 30:19

"For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens." This phrase, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire." -Hebrews 12:25-29

Author's note: Guess what? 7 months later, nothing has really changed. :)

A True Fairy Tale

What if I told you a story?

Once upon a time, there was a world. This was a pretty young world, as far as worlds go.

In a very small piece of this world, on a dry patch of desert, lived a small, scrappy, scraggly-bearded tribe of warrior-shepherds. They were surrounded by other nations that were bigger and more numerous than they, so their lives were mostly spent in conflict. But in their religion, they believed their God was more powerful than all their enemies' gods put together, so they didn't give up. Their religion had been handed down to them by their wandering sun-bronzed sheep-herding fore-fathers for generations, since the world began. They believed their God promised them victory through a coming leader, so they raised their families and fought their battles all looking forward to the arrival of the promised leader, who would wipe out their worst enemies, and they would inherit the earth.

So what happened next, you ask?

Sure enough, a few hundred years later, their Mighty Leader came. He fought their worst enemies, and became their King. He then told them to go out and make his reign known to the whole world and to spread his kingdom to the four corners of the globe. Victory was theirs, he promised, even if they were few in number now. Someday they would outnumber the stars, and all the scattered enemies would either become allies, or perish. So the people went out to do just that.

Then what happened?

A few thousand years later, they had grown from a few hundred scraggly-bearded shepherds, to cover a third of the entire world. Their holy book was read by the people of hundreds of different languages. The promises of their God were being fulfilled.

What if I told you that this is a true story?

It is. The small tribe of shepherds was Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, the tribes of Israel…and us. The promised leader is Jesus Christ, who defeated our worst enemies, freeing us from the bonds of sin, Satan, death, and ourselves. The religion that literally overtook the world in the last 2,000 years is Christianity. Since it began under the stars with Abraham, and before him, it has affected the lives of over 2 billion (2,000,000,000) people today. That is 1/3 of our world today. The book that was originally written in only Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, is now translated into over 2,287 languages around our globe.

So why the long faces today, brothers and sisters? We have a winning track record! Jesus didn’t tell us to disciple the nations in vain. He said the gates of hell wouldn’t prevail against us! In case you didn’t know, gates aren’t used for attacking…they’re used for defending against attack. That means hell is on the defensive! Or at least it should be, if we are about the business of expanding the Kingdom of light into all recesses of the world, instead of hiding in the dark predicting when doomsday will come.

The Kingdom isn’t tied to America, or any nation. It transcends them. Nations rise and fall, but the Kingdom can only grow. Look at history. See where we have come from? Now look to the future, a few thousand years from now. What growth of the Kingdom might we see?

How will you advance it?

“For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” ~Isaiah 11:9

Wyatt's 12th Birthday

September 4th twelve years ago, our family was blessed with a blue-eyed bundle of joy...



...and twelve years later, Wyatt James King continues to add barrels of joy to our lives.


It seems like not-so-long ago we were taking turns pushing him around in a stroller, seeing the world reflected in his big baby blues. Now he has grown into quite a wonderful person, and we still have the blessing of seeing the world through his eyes...


Wyatt is loving. Its normal to get greeted by a back-patting teeth-rattling hug in the morning. Even those who were complete strangers five minutes before find themselves being loved by their new friend, Wyatt.


He is outgoing. He loves watching sports, especially baseball. Just recently, he has picked up golf and can be found chipping around in our yard. One of his favorite things is going to friend's houses to play.


He is genuine. When he is happy, his face shows it. When he is glad to see you, he lets you know. When he is thankful, he says "thank you God". He's not shy about asking you to rub his back, and he isn't afraid to ask you for water. And he'll thank you for it.


Above all, Wyatt is a blessing. He is precisely where the Lord wants him. He shows us all lessons in trust, sincere love, thankfulness, and joy. And he is fun. His giggle is contagious.


Here's to my awesome little brother, Wyatt.

Of Yellowstone and Skipping Stones

The past few days we Kings have been down in Yellowstone National Park, relaxing. Dad, JD, and Cody went down early Friday to pick up a 5th wheel camper, and try it out while flyfishing and barely avoiding a close encounter with a grizzly bear. We ladies and little boys met them after church on Sunday in the Lamar valley of YNP.

Upon meeting them, we split into the 2 vehicles: Dad, Mom, Wyatt, Will and Jed in the big old Ford pulling the camper, and JD, Cody, Hannah and I in the Suburban, in which we would have followed Dad. I say "would have" because Mom had forgotten she had the 'burban keys in her pocket. However, if one must be abandoned by one's parents for half an hour, the Lamar valley has a lovely view. Finally they realized we weren't following and came back to fetch us. We spent the night at Fishing Bridge, all 9 of us cozied up in the camper.

I've got to say this before I go on: a buffalo is almost a cow; if you've seen one, you've seen them all. They are really not that exciting, and definitely not exciting enough to stop traffic for 5 miles and cause a 45 minute delay for everyone who has already seen the past 476 buffalo. Anyway...


Yellowstone is a beautiful place, and I enjoy getting to go there once in a while. Hot springs, wild animals, rugged terrain, rushing rivers, mountains, cliffs, and canyons all stand testimony to their Creator as a shadow of His power, majesty, and creativity. We took the little boys to see Old Faithful for their first times. We also saw a black bear, lots of buffalo, and 2 elk.


Yesterday evening, we went to the Imax theatre and saw the film "Bears." As JD put it, "I felt alienated in the first minute of the show." It opened with Native American's mystical view of bears, and later the propaganda of global warming endangering cute cuddly polar bears touted as truth without any statistics or facts. (Perhaps we should be brainwashed enough we shouldn't catch things like that. Oops.) Grizzlys were portrayed as "more like a cow than a killer" and severely misunderstood, with we "bad" humans forcing them out of their habitat and hunting them too extensively. There is a reason the bear's habitat has shrunk: people have taken dominion of the wilderness, and have gardenized it. Of course, there is still a place for the grizzly bear: in National Parks or on remote mountains with a healthy fear of man and his .360 Winchester magnum. The whole film disappointingly yet predictably smacked of environmental activism and modern-day creature worship. It brought to mind Romans 1:25 : "[they] exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen." I was glad the propaganda flew over the heads of the little guys, and we could at least enjoy their simple delight at seeing fearsome bears on a 6-story screen.


One thing that didn't fly over Jed's head happened this morning as we were getting ready to leave. We went down to the Madison river to skip rocks, and Will accidentally threw a bad one off poor Jeddie's head and hit him hard. He had a good flow of blood down his blonde hair, but he is alright now. I am so thankful for the Lord's kind providence that it wasn't worse. Just goes to show that skipping rocks is an extreme sport.


Well, that was kind of a lengthy post, but I'm still learning how good blogging works. ;)


Grace and peace,

Audrey

Pictures from Medieval Murder Mystery Party

Here are some photos for your enjoyment...

Cody was "Sir Francis, the Crusader;" and Hannah was "Lady Isabel." Don't they look suspicious?

Jeddie hiding from me. I knew if I pointed the camera there he would eventually peek out.


J.D., aka "Sir Rowan." Could he be the murderer?


Our lovely hostess, Grace, aka "Adelaide," of the working class. ;)


The appetizer was cheese, crackers and salami, while the dinner (pictured above) consisted of roast chicken, fresh fruit, (Mom's) amazing French bread, and baked potato wedges. Dessert consisted of delicious brownies and cinnamon tarts. And to wash it all down, sparkling cider. We ate everything with our hands, 1300s-style.


The popular medieval entertainment of apple-bobbing. All the apple-bobbers successfully bobbed their apples, which was indeed entertaining.

All the lovely ladies that attended.

The gentlemen.

And...the murderer. I was caught, what can I say? After they read off every medieval Braveheart-style method of execution, they settled on the swift and relatively painless Silly Stringing.

I had a lovely time, even post-silly string. I owe my entire wardrobe minus the gaudy earrings to Hannah and our friend and hostess of the party, Grace. Thanks, girls!

Here goes something

So here's my blog (as if the world needs another one). I didn't want to just have one to have one, though. I thought about it, and came up with a few good reasons for having one.

• I like to write, and this is an outlet for that itch only words can relieve.
• Those who know my family can keep in touch and see what is happening in the King's lives.
  
• Maybe I could make you laugh; it is good medicine, you know.
• And maybe, just maybe, you might find some truth here, and be encouraged in your walk with the Lord. I hope so.
  

Now there's no telling where I might be swept off to! Blessings, Audrey